EcoChic Accent Hardware

You’ve finally got those bamboo cabinets all installed, nice and level. You added the recycled glass or reclaimed wood countertops. The work is behind you, right? Wrong. Now it’s time for the fun easy part—accenting those cabinets.

Recycled or reclaimed hardware—including handles, pulls, hinges and knobs—are the icing on the cake for many remodeling projects. Whether you’re putting in all new cabinets, adding a closet to a bedroom, or just hanging a new door, the hardware adds immeasurably to the final look of the project. These small touches are also a way to keep your green mojo rolling.

An assortment of reclaimed hardware—subject to change.
Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Garbage.

There are two basic types of eco-friendly hardware and accents: reclaimed and salvaged units, and those made from recycled materials. Either type offers incredible opportunities for a one-of-a-kind look.

Salvage operations such as Better Homes and Garbage (www.bhandgarbage.com), Recycling the Past (www.recyclingthepast.com), and the ReStore outlets run by Habitat for the Humanity (www.habitat.org/restores) feature an ever-changing line-up of rescued hardware. You’ll find pieces in all types of metals, and even some gems featuring craftsmanship and detailing from yesteryear, such as cut glass handles or knobs. The biggest deals are to be hand on hinges, pulls, and other hardware that need to be cleaned up. There are lots of over-the-counter products to revive tarnished or otherwise blemished metal hardware, and glass can often be brought back to life with a simple washing. The key, though, is to find the number and size of pieces that will suit your project exactly. This may take some looking and patience.

Some of the beautiful handles offered in DuVerre Hardware's Arroyo line.
Photo courtesy of DuVerre Hardware.

On the other hand, you can have the beauty of brand new hardware with the convenience of in-stock shopping by turning to the growing number of accents on the market made from recycled materials. Natural Built Home (www.naturalbuilthome.com) sells recycled glass knobs, handles and pulls, while Nature’s Hardware (natureshardware.com) sells a variety of accent pieces made in whole, or part, from recycled materials. DuVerre Hardware (duverre.com) offers handles made 100 percent post-consumer waste, in a number of different finishes.

In any case, never settle for dull—or less than totally green—accent hardware to dress up your remodeling projects.

“Green” as a Carpet Color

Area rugs are all well and fine, but when it comes to luxury flooring, it’s hard to top wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpeting’s warmth and comfort underfoot is why it remains the most popular home flooring. In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit I’m not a big fan of carpeting in the home. I run a take-your-shoes-off-at-the-door house, and I think reclaimed wood is a great choice for the purely “green” home. That said, there are many shades of green, and there is simply no denying the unrivaled extravagance of plush carpeting underfoot when you get out bed in the morning, or when just want to walk around barefoot.

SmartStrand carpet comes in many different

 colors, shades and designs. Photo courtesy of

Mohawk Flooring (www.mohawkflooring.com).

The trick is to find the greenest carpet possible. That’s a little more complicated than it might appear at first glance. How eco-friendly and healthy a given carpet is depends on the fiber, the nap (looped, cut, short or tall), the backing, and the pad you use. All of these will affect, to one degree or another, the harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) the flooring off-gasses, how quickly the carpet collects dirt and potential allergens, and how recyclable the carpet is when it comes time for a new floor covering.

Start with the carpet fiber. Wool is hands-down the most sustainable, healthiest, and most eco-friendly carpet fiber. Unfortunately, left untreated, it is susceptible to staining.  Wool is also much more expensive than synthetic-fiber carpeting, and far less widely available. The first place to look is online, where you’ll find companies such as Eco by Design (www.ecobydesign.com, selling EcoChoices all-natural wool carpeting), and Earth Weave Carpet Mills, Inc. (www.earthweave.com), offering Bio-Floor™ carpeting that is all natural, containing no chemical treatments.

However, most people turn to less-expensive, easier-to-find synthetic fibers. Triexta is quickly becoming the synthetic fiber of choice for its durability, cleanability and soft feel. Sold under the name SmartStrand from Mohawk (www.mohawkflooring.com) is formulated in part with renewable resources such as polymers extracted from corn. The carpet is also extremely durable and long-lasting. The same can be said of polyester P.E.T carpeting, which is made in part from recycled plastic bottles. P.E.T carpet is not, however, as nice underfoot as nylon or triexta.

Give just as much consideration to the carpet’s backing and binding. Backings have traditionally been constructed with latex binders that produce 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH), a nasty VOC. Ideally, the binder and backing adhesive should be a natural or inert glue. The backing itself should be hemp, jute or other natural material. Stay away from vinyl, PVC or SB latex backings, which can contain potentially harmful chemicals, including styrene—a suspected carcinogen.

The pad you use is as important as the carpet itself, in terms of comfort, longevity and air quality. Some synthetic carpet pads feature a laundry list of potentially harmful chemicals and VOCs. However, there’s really no need to introduce these toxins into your home’s environment. Stick with carpet pads made of felt or rubber. On the same note, avoid glued-down installation methods. Tack-strips work perfectly for almost all wall-to-wall carpeting installations.

When shopping for carpeting keep an eye out for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s green label (www.carpet-rug.org).  The label indicates that the product meets CRI’s standards for low-VOC emission and sustainability. It’s not the be all and end all of certifications; the CRI is an industry organization. Personally, I take exception with some of the CRI’s stances on carpeting’s role in indoor air quality and its connection to related diseases such as asthma. But the certification program was developed in tandem with the EPA, and the label is an indicator that you’re shopping in the right direction.

No matter what carpet and backing you’ve chosen, it’s always a wise idea to thoroughly air out the room for 48 hours after installation. Your lungs will thank you.

Insulating Wisdom

You can’t see it, you usually can’t touch it, and you’ll forget it’s even there, but insulation has a gigundo impact on just how green your house is … or isn’t. Any major remodeling project is a chance to determine what type of insulation (if any) exists in your walls and attic, what shape it’s in, and what upgrade or new insulation would best serve your purposes.

This particular decision is not just a matter of being green. The right insulation makes your home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and creates a healthier interior environment. Along the way, it can save you bundles of cash.

The majority of homes are insulated with Fiberglass batting, which remains the most widely used insulation. However, Fiberglass can be difficult to work with, can irritate the skin, eyes and breathing passages, and is far from a green material. Even worse, older homes may still have urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). The formaldehyde is a carcinogen that can compromise indoor air quality for years and possibly decades after installation. 

Thank goodness you have a bevy of green insulation options to pick from! These come in the same basic forms as traditional materials: loose-fill blown-in (or spray-on) versions, or batting.

Blown-in or spray-on expanding foam insulation is incredibly effective, quick to install, and long-lasting. In the past, this product meant dealing with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that depleted the ozone. Today, however, there are green spray foams that, while still urethane-based, off-gas virtually no VOCs and perform beautifully. Demilec USA (www.demilecusa.com) manufacturers a couple of examples, including Sealection and Heatlok Soy. Sealaction uses water for the delivery system and is an open-cell foam, while Heatlok Soy incorporates recycled plastic, and includes soy and vegetable oils, and is a closed-cell foam. Both are certified through the GreenGuard program, and the National Association of Home Builder’s “Green Approved” qualification.

Closed-cell products are usually denser, stiff and offer a higher R-value than their open-cell cousins. They also resist air, water vapor and moisture penetration better than any other insulation. However, this superior performance comes at price: closed-cell foams are more expensive overall, and cost more per R-value, than most other options. Generally, closed-cell products are reserved for areas where having a highly effective air and moisture barrier are real concerns.

Cellulose blown-in insulation is an even more eco-friendly option. Although the R-values pound per pound are lower than urethane spray foam, cellulose insulation can still offer from R-13 to R-60, depending on the thickness of the insulation. The knock on early versions was moisture retention; they were blown in wet and often retained moisture that led to mold and mildew growth. These days, companies like GreenFiber (www.greenfiber.com) make cellulose products that are not only as much 90 percent recycled paper, they are also blended with borate or similar treatments that prevent mold growth, insect infestation, and serve as fire retardants.

Cellulose insulation is competitively priced with other types, and it is often sold as a DIY option. You can buy blowers and the related equipment, or rent everything you need from a local rental center. Keep in mind, though, the job is messy and must be done correctly to realize the maximum R-value and other benefits. When installed correctly, blown-in and sprayed-on insulations create tighter air seals and provide better sound-deadening properties than other types of insulation. That's why the vast majority of homeowners opt to use certified professionals when going with blown-in or sprayed on insulation.

Recycled cotton or denim batting such as UltraTouch by Bonded Logic, Inc. (www.bondedlogic.com) is some of the most truly green insulation available. UltraTouch includes approximately 80 percent post-consumer waste, and releases no VOCs. The batting is perforated so that you simply measure, tear, and install. The material doesn’t irritate skin and breathing passages as Fiberglass does, and is Class-A fire rated. The company also produces UltraTouch cellulose insulation.

A less common but potentially effective and environmentally responsible option is mineral wool. There are two types of mineral wool: a version called rock wool that is formed from natural minerals such as basalt; and slag wool that is processed from blast-furnace slag (the scum floating on top of molten metal). Mineral wool is available as loose fill and the much more common blankets and stiff boards. Companies such as Thermafiber (www.thermafiber.com) provide the insulation and the tools needed to work with it. The material typically includes about 75 percent post-industrial waste and is installed in roughly the same way as Fiberglass batting is.

The place to start in choosing any insulation is the R-value. Balance selecting the highest R-value possible against your budgetary constraints, and where you live. A high R-value will provide a bigger return on investment in the frigid Northeast, than it will in more temperature southern States.

You’ll also want to pay close attention to the technical specs for the insulation you’re considering. Review the manufacturer’s claims regarding “settling” (the tendency for wall insulation to slide down in the cavity, leaving little or no insulation in spots—something that can even happen with traditional Fiberglass batts). Establish the green cred of the insulation you’re leaning toward, by checking out if it qualifies for LEEDs credits.

Composting in Style

Composting is the bargain lover’s deal of the century. Take something you were going to put in the garbage, and quickly and easily turn in it into one of the best soil amendments money can buy—only it’s free! The practice offers the bonus of keeping organic material out of the waste stream, so you’ll be doing your part to relieve the burden on overtaxed landfills. And it couldn’t be simpler. Although hardcore composters may work endlessly with the “formula” of their compost pile, you can start composting now with little expertise. Buy or make a simple composting bin—or just create a pile in a secluded corner of the garden where air flows freely—start collecting organic matter, and poof, you’re on your way to black garden gold.

One of the several handsome pails

offered by Norpro. (Photo courtesy of Norpro.)

No matter how you choose to compost, chances are that kitchen scraps are going to be a big part of that effort. Just about everything you use in cooking (minus synthetic materials and any animal fats or proteins) is fair game. The smaller the bits, the better, but pretty much any vegetable scraps will work. The trick is not ruining the look of your kitchen while you collect the scraps. The handiest place for your indoor compost pail is right by the sink or your prep area, but few things are as sure a design-kill as a scratched-up plastic pail full of vegetable leavings. As “country” as your kitchen might be, that’s never a good visual. My suspicion? This is probably a major factor why so many people choose not to compost.

Never fear! You can collect compost food scraps in style; you just need the right compost pail. Look around a little and you’re sure to find many interesting candidates. Norpro makes standalone compost pails in many different styles, from clean white enameled pails, to more decorative designs. Like most standalone compost pails offered at retail, these include charcoal inserts to eliminate odors (although it’s worth mentioning that if you’re regularly emptying the pail and collecting only vegetable matter, smells and insects are rarely a problem).  You can find Norpro products at Amazon (www.amazon.com) and the unrelated Norpro Webstore (www.norprowebstore.com).

The stainless steel pail from Simple

Human, showing the charcoal cartridge

that keeps things smelling fresh.  

(Photo courtesy of Simple Human, www.simplehuman.com.)

As you might expect of a company that specializes in hip, enlightened design, Simple Human offers a compost pail that are, well, simply elegant. It's as attractive as any other countertop fixture you might own. You’ll find their pails and other products at www.simplehuman.com.

Into a more modern, sleek vibe? Blanco (www.blancoamerica.com) has you covered with their Solon composting system. A stainless steel pail slips right into a hole in the counter and is covered up with a low-profile lid. The hole can be cut in just about any countertop that has room underneath for the pail, meaning you can position near food prep areas to make it as handy as possible. It's finished with a sophisticated recessed lip. When it comes time to empty the pail, remove it using the handle that slots out of the way at other times.

Blanco's Solon compost system makes recycling kitchen scraps easy.
(Photos courtesy of Blanco, www.blancoamerica.com, (800) 451-5782.)

Pick the solution that works best for you and your kitchen design, because doing right by the environment and your garden doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Composting, who knew it could be chic?

Cool Countertops with Big Green Cred

Consider the mighty countertop. You may not have the cash to plunk down for a whole new suite of chef-quality appliances or a wholesale kitchen remodel, but you can still transform the look of your kitchen quickly and inexpensively by just replacing your countertops. As much as dingy, timeworn counters bring a kitchen design down, the right new countertop totally revitalizes the room. Counters are also valuable real estate in the kitchen, serving as crucial prep areas. Fortunately, some of the most beautiful are also some of the most eco-friendly choices. That’s because a whole slew of eye-catching countertops are made from different recycled materials.

A dynamic Vetrazzo kitchen countertop rocking a stunning kitchen 

design, and in closeup below. (Photo courtesy of  Vetrazzo®.)

Some of the most popular recycled countertops are made from glass. Vetrazzo (www.vetrazzo.com) is touted as the “original glass countertop”, with products crafted from any amazing variety of 100-percent recycled glass. Including waste from broken stoplight lenses to recycled beer bottles, the colors and styles available reflect this diversity; every color of the rainbow is represented in the product mix, as well as color blends. The look of any particular counter is unique, because the size and shape of the glass pieces differ counter to counter. IceStone (www.icestone.biz) crafts counter slabs from 100-percent recycled glass, portland cement and pigment. The appearance of an IceStone surface is more regimented than a Vetrazzo surface; the glass pieces appear to be a more uniform size and the appearance of background binder is more dominant. Most recycled glass surfaces are fairly pricey, and are best installed by certified professionals.

Looks like slate, but it's paper! (Photo courtesy PaperStone® 

Evergreen | Photo: Paneltech Products, Inc.) 

 You’ll also find engaging countertops created of reused paper and wood products. Shetkastone (www.shetkastone.com) creates solid-colored countertops from post-consumer and post-industrial paper mixed with binders. PaperStone (www.paperstoneproducts.com) is also made from post-consumer recycled paper saturated with proprietary resins and natural pigments, creating a non-porous surface. Cuts or abrasions can be sanded or rubbed out with an abrasive pad. EcoTop (www.kliptech.com) counters are manufactured using equal parts post-consumer recycled fiber and bamboo fiber, bound with water-based resin. The EcoTop process allows for very light counter colors, and the surface is scratch resistant. Recycled paper countertops are generally lightweight and most can be installed and modified by a homeowner with moderate DIY experience. 

Several manufacturers recycle stone waste in their products. Lithistone (www.lithistone.net) is one of the most prominent manufacturers, using a natural inert binder to hold together sand, pieces of quarry stone, and other recycled materials. Their countertops look much like a solid-surface product.

Where budget isn't an issue, many manufacturers will even craft a custom countertop made to your specifications. Everything old is new again, and looking great in the kitchen!

A Beautiful Wood Floor from Days of Yore

Imagine a wood floor with an engaging, unique appearance unlike anything you might find in a lumberyard or home center. Imagine that not a single tree was cut down for this very special wood floor. Imagine it cost you the same or less than a traditional wood floor. Now stop imagining: that floor exists in the form of reclaimed wood planks or strips.

Nail marks and knots add character in this reclaimed Douglass fir floor.

(All photos courtesy of Pioneer Millworks, www.pioneer millworks.com.)

Reclaimed wood flooring is salvaged from dilapidated buildings across the country, as part of a process called deconstruction. If you’re the type that likes to roll up your sleeves and get down to it, you can find entire reclaimed floors in the rough, salvaged directly out of an older building. The flooring comes bundled at prices much lower than what new flooring would run you. The catch is that you’ll have to sand down and refinish the wood and, of course, you’ll need to find a batch that includes as much or more wood than you need. In fact, when working with raw salvaged flooring in odd lots, you should add 20 percent to your materials estimate to account for damaged or otherwise unusable pieces. The best deals can be found at local architectural salvage companies such as Better Homes and Garbage in Minneapolis, Minnesota (www.bhandgarbage.com), Heritage Salvage in Petaluma, California (www.heritagesalvage.com), and Old Wood Workshop in Pomfret Center, Connecticut (www.oldwoodworkshop.com). You can find local or regional salvage companies in the Yellow Pages under Building Salvage or Architectural Salvage, or online, by searching “salvaged wood flooring”.

Reclaimed mixed hardwood planks make for

an unusual and handsome wood floor.

The potential flea-market prices are a draw, but the real allure of salvaged wood is the chance to latch onto one-of-kind heartwoods and species no longer available on the open market. Depending on where the floor was salvaged and how old it is, it may be a species of local tree that is no longer widely grown, or was largely eradicated by disease or pests. Even if the flooring is simply an antique version of traditional favorites like oak, it will look much different from the modern version. The increase of carbon dioxide in the environment over the last century means trees grow quicker than ever before. Antique wood floors often feature an open, flowing grain pattern unlike any you’ll find in newly sawn flooring.

The salvaged marketplace also yields special treasures such as “tobacco barn flooring”, wood subjected to decades of intense heat and vapors that give it a completely unique coloration and alluring appearance. Older milling processes also leave their enchanting tattoos on many wood floors—circular or semi-circular saw marks are the most common. Antiquated installation processes such as face nailing and pegging also mark some reclaimed wood flooring.

The enchanting surface appearance 

of a reclaimed grey elm wood floor.

Even if you don’t fancy working with rough bundles of strips or planks, you can still enjoy the beauty and ecological benefit of a reclaimed wood floor. One step removed from general salvage operations with their constantly changing inventories, reclaimed flooring companies specialize in antique wood that they salvage, mill, strip and/or refinish as necessary, prior to sale. Companies such as Elmwood Reclaimed Timber (www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com), Pioneer Millworks (pioneermillworks.com), Mountain Lumber Company (www.mountainlumber.com), and TerraMai (www.terramai.com) all supply premium grade reclaimed flooring in a range of species, styles and widths. Some offer specialty appearances, such as quarter- or half-sawn wood, and many will ship to your location.

Regardless of the source, reclaimed wood flooring is about as green as you can get.  Lay reclaimed wood strips in your living room and you spare the trees that would have been cut down to make a new floor. Not only that, you also remove the reclaimed from the waste stream, where it would have wound up had it not been salvaged.

Regardless of whether you’re shopping for reclaimed or new wood flooring, always look for the Forest Stewardship Council label. The FSC is an independent non-profit that promotes sustainable forestry practices and certifies that products carrying the FSC label come from responsibly managed forests.